Methods for Controlling Weeds and Water Using a Bag Filled with Landscaping Material

ABSTRACT

A bag constructed of a weed suppression material for packaging a ground cover material. When the bag is in a closed configuration, the bag serves as a container for shipping, handling, and storage of the ground cover material. When the bag is opened and unfolded, and the ground cover material within the bag is spread over the opened and unfolded bag, the bag serves as a layer of weed suppression material on top of underlying soil and beneath the ground cover. In addition, the bag may be used for planting individual plants in a planting bed, for establishing a buffer zone around the foundation of a building, or for controlling erosion around a downspout of a building.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/795,841, filed Jun. 8, 2010, which isincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to a bag for packaging landscapingmaterial, and more particularly to methods for using the bag for weedsuppression, pest control, and water control.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a planting bed for flowers and/or vegetables, a ground covermaterial, including mulches and rock material, composted soil (gardensoil or potting soil), and ground synthetic particles, is often spreadon top of the soil among the flowering plants and/or the vegetablesplants. The ground cover material offers several advantages. The groundcover can be selected to maintain soil moisture or to inhibit soilcompaction. In the case of flower beds, the ground cover material can beselected to create a pleasing aesthetic appearance to show off theflowers.

In order to lower the maintenance required for planting beds,particularly to inhibit the growth of weeds in the planting beds, aseparate weed suppression material is often laid on top of the soil andunder the ground cover.

In planting individual plants, such as flowers and/or vegetables, in aplanting bed, the soil of the planting bed often needs amendment by theaddition of a top layer of enriched composted soil. In addition, weedsin the planting bed should be controlled as the flowers and/orvegetables mature. Further, moisture should be retained in the soil ofthe planting bed. Therefore, a need exists for a simple method forplanting individual plants, such as flowers and/or vegetables, in aplanting bed that addresses the need for soil amendment, weed control inthe planting bed and moisture retention.

Organic materials and mulches located adjacent the foundation of abuilding create a risk of insect intrusion and of water damage.Consequently, a need exists to easily create a buffer zone of rockmaterial along the perimeter of the foundation of the building toinhibit insect intrusion and control water damage.

Downspouts from the gutters of a building create the potential forerosion at the site where the downspout discharges water onto thelandscape around the building. Therefore, a need exists for erosioncontrol at the discharge point of the building downspouts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses both the need for a ground covermaterial and the need for a weed suppression material for a plantingbed. Particularly, the present invention comprises a bag constructed ofa weed suppression material for packaging a ground cover material. Whenthe bag of the present invention is in its closed configuration, the bagserves as a container for shipping, handling, and storage of the groundcover material. When installing the ground cover material in theplanting bed, the bag of the present invention is opened and unfolded,and the ground cover material within the bag is spread over the openedand unfolded bag. Consequently, the bag serves as a layer of weedsuppression material on top of the underlying soil and beneath theground cover.

The ground cover material that may be used in connection with the bag ofthe present invention may include mulches, such as pine straw, chippedwood bark, grain straws, shredded wood materials, or other mulches knownto those of ordinary skill in the landscaping art. The ground cover mayalso include rock material, including sand, crushed stone, gravel, peagravel, graded stone, shale, or other rock materials known to those ofordinary skill in the landscaping art. The ground cover may also includeground synthetic particles, such as ground rubber particles and groundplastic particles. The ground cover may also include composted soil.

The weed suppression material for the bag of the present invention maybe a sheet of perforated plastic, biodegradable/compostable plasticfilm, paper, cardboard or cloth fabric. For most planting bedapplications, the weed suppression material should be porous in order toallow water and air to pass through the weed suppression material to theroots of the plants in the underlying soil. The bag of the presentinvention may be constructed with an impervious temporary outer coatingor an impervious internal liner to ensure integrity of the bag duringshipping, handling, and storage. The temporary coating or linerdissolves when the bag comes in contact with moist soil, or thetemporary liner is manually removed when the bag is opened. Further, theweed suppression material of the bag may be biodegradable within a 3 to24 month period of time to ensure suppression of weeds during thegrowing season and to ensure that there is no buildup of the weedsuppression material in the planting bed from growing season to growingseason. The weed suppression material of the bag may also becompostable. The weed suppression material of the bag may be colored onthe inside to match the color of the ground cover packaged in the bag sothat when in place, the bag, underlying the ground cover material, willnot be obtrusive in the planting bed. The weed suppression materialcomprising the bag may also be coated or impregnated with an additiveincluding fertilizer, pesticide, insecticide, herbicide, or beneficialmicrobes for release into the underlying soil. Because the area of theunfolded bag is a known parameter, the impregnated bag provides anaccurate dose of fertilizer, pesticide, insecticide, herbicide, orbeneficial microbes to the underlying soil. Further, the weedsuppression material comprising the bag may also be coated with orimpregnated with an antimicrobial so that the bag does not mildew ormold during shipping, handling or storage.

In applications where the ground cover is spread over a large areawithout planting beds, the weed suppression material may be imperviousto both air and water to ensure total weed control by depriving theweeds in the underlying soil of moisture and air. In such circumstances,the impervious weed suppression material may also be used to direct theflow of water toward drainage facilities or toward adjacent plant bedsto increase the water available for such adjacent plant beds. Such animpervious weed suppression material may include, among other materials,a plastic film or a coated paper laminate.

The bag constructed of weed suppression material in accordance with thepresent invention has indicia on its outer surface indicating where andhow the bag should be opened. Particularly, the indicia may comprisesewn seams, tear strips, perforations, or printed cut lines tofacilitate opening and use of the bag as a weed suppression material. Inone embodiment of the bag in accordance with the present invention, thebag may have sewn seams, tear strips, perforations, or printed cut linesarranged in the form of a capital “I”, with the leg of the “I” runningalong the center of the length of the bag and with the top and bottombars of the “I” running along the end edges of the bag. In a secondembodiment of the bag in accordance with the present invention, the bagmay have sewn seams, tear strips, perforations, or printed cut linesarranged in the form of a capital “I”, with the leg of the “I” runningalong the center of the width of the bag and with the top and bottombars of the “I” running along the side edges of the bag. In a thirdembodiment of the bag in accordance with the present invention, the bagmay have sewn seams, tear strips, perforations, or printed cut lines onboth end edges and on one of the side edges of the bag. In a thirdembodiment of the bag in accordance with the present invention, the bagmay have sewn seams, tear strips, perforations, or printed cut lines onboth side edges and on one of the end edges of the bag.

In use, the bag of the present invention containing the ground cover(mulch, rock, composted soil, or ground synthetic particles) is laid onthe exposed soil adjacent the plants. The bag is then opened by means ofindicia, such as sewn seams, tear strips, perforations, or printed cutlines. Once the bag has been opened, the bag is unfolded around theplants in the planting bed. Holes are cut or torn in the weedsuppression material to accommodate the plants in the planting bed. Theinstallation is completed by spreading the ground cover over the exposedportions of the unfolded bag. Alternatively, the bag and groundcover maybe installed before plants are installed in the planting bed. In thatcircumstance, holes are cut or torn in the bag after installation of thebag and ground cover, and the plants are inserted through the holes inthe bag into the underlying soil. Where enriched composted soil, such asgarden soil is used as ground cover, the bag is opened and placed flatover the underlying soil. The composted soil in the bag is then spreadover the open bag. The plants are then planted through a hole in theopen bag and grow through the composted soil on top of the bag while theweeds in the underlying soil are suppressed.

The relationship between the size of the bag and the amount of groundcover contained in the bag provides a measure for the properinstallation of the ground cover to the proper depth. In other words,the amount of ground cover included in the bag is just the right amountto cover the bag to the proper depth when the bag is unfolded. In orderto accommodate the volume of ground cover material in the bag, the bagmay also include one or more extra panels attached adjacent the sewnseams, tear strips, perforations, or printed cut lines so that, when thebag is unfolded with the extra panels, additional area of weedsuppression material is available to accommodate the volume of groundcover material in the bag.

Further, the present invention contemplates a bag that is constructed ofwater permeable, biodegradable material and that is filled with enrichedcomposted soil or the like. Such a bag enables a method of plantingindividual plants, such as flowers and/or vegetables, in a planting bedwhile at the same time amending the soil of the planting bed,controlling weeds in the planting bed, and retaining moisture in theplanting bed. The bag is laid out on the planting bed, opened alongindicia representing means for opening the bag, and unfolded to a flatconfiguration. Once unfolded, the enriched soil is spread out to coverthe water permeable, biodegradable bag. Once the bag has been opened,laid flat, and covered with the enriched soil, individual openings aremade in the enriched soil, the bag, and the underlying soil of theplanting bed. Individual plants are inserted into the openings andtherefore in contact with the overlying enriched soil, the waterpermeable biodegradable bag, and the underlying soil of the plantingbed.

The present invention also contemplates a bag that is constructed of awater impermeable, non-degradable material and that is filled with rockmaterial. Such a bag enables a method of establishing a protectivebuffer zone adjacent the foundation of a building to lower the risk ofinsect intrusion and water damage. The bag is dimensioned to coincidewith the width of the buffer zone. The bag is laid out adjacent thefoundation of the building, opened along indicia comprising means foropening the bag, and unfolded to a flat configuration adjacent thebuilding foundation. Once unfolded, the rock material in the bag isspread out to cover the flat impermeable, non-degradable bag except fora segment at one end. The next bag is laid out in the same fashion andoverlaps the uncovered segment of the first bag. The rock material inthe second bag is then spread out to cover the overlap leaving anotheruncovered segment at the opposite end to accommodate the third bag, andso on to create the buffer zone.

The present invention also contemplates a bag that is constructed of awater permeable, non-degradable material and that is filled with rockmaterial. Such a bag enables a method of controlling erosion at thepoint where a downspout or other conduit discharges water onto thesurrounding landscape or where other water runoff occurs. The waterpermeable, non-degradable bag is laid out so that the downspoutdischarges water directly onto the top of the bag. Because the bag ispermeable, the water passes into the bag and is dispersed through thebottom of the bag into the surrounding soil. The rock material providesstructure for the bag and keeps the bottom of the bag fully andfrictionally engaged with the soil below. Alternatively, the waterpermeable, non-degradable bag may be open along indicia comprising meansfor opening the bag and unfolded to a flat configuration under thedownspout. The rock material is then spread over the flat bag so thatthe water discharged from the downspout impinges directly on the rockmaterial. The rock material holds the water permeable, non-degradablematerial of the bag securely against the underlying soil to frictionallyengage and hold the soil in place.

Further objects, features and advantages will become apparent uponconsideration of the following detailed description of the inventionwhen taken in conjunction with the drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a first embodiment of an unopened bag withsewn seams, tear strips, perforations, or printed cut lines in an “I”shape in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the bag of FIG. 1 opened and unfolded inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of an unopened bag withsewn seams, tear strips, perforations, or printed cut lines in an “I”shape in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the bag of FIG. 3 opened and unfolded inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a third embodiment of an unopened bag withsewn seams, tear strips, perforations, or printed cut lines along twoend edges and along one side edge in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the bag of FIG. 5 opened and unfolded inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a fourth embodiment of an unopened bag withsewn seams, tear strips, perforations, or printed cut lines along twosides edges and along one end edge in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the bag of FIG. 7 opened and unfolded inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a fifth embodiment of an unopened bag withsewn seams, tear strips, perforations, or printed cut lines in an “I”shape in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the bag of FIG. 9 opened and unfolded andincluding extra panels in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a section view of planting bed soil, of a weed suppressionmaterial of the bags of FIGS. 1-10 opened and unfolded on top of thesoil, and ground cover on top of the weed suppression material all inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a section view of the planting bed soil, of a multilayer weedsuppression material of the bags of FIGS. 1-10 opened and unfolded ontop of the soil, and ground cover on top of the weed suppressionmaterial all in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, a first embodiment of a bag 10,constructed of weed suppression material 12 in accordance with thepresent invention, is illustrated FIGS. 1-2. FIG. 1 shows the bag 10 inits closed configuration. FIG. 2 shows the bag 10 in its openconfiguration. The bag 10 is formed of a weed suppression material 12.The weed suppression material 12 for the bag 10 may be a sheet ofperforated plastic, biodegradable/compostable plastic film, paper,cardboard, or cloth fabric (woven or nonwoven). For most planting bedapplications, the weed suppression material 12 may be a layer 13 (FIG.11) of porous material in order to allow water and air to pass throughthe weed suppression material 12 to the underlying soil 18 (FIG. 11). Inpractice, the porous layer 13 may be implemented by three layers of wetstrength Kraft paper. The number and thickness of individual layerscomprising porous layer 13 may be adjusted to meet the strictrequirements of shipping, handling and storage on one hand, and properporosity for use as a weed suppression material.

The bag 10 of the present invention may also be constructed with animpervious temporary outer coating (not shown) or an impervioustemporary internal liner 15 (FIG. 12) to ensure integrity of the bag 10during shipping, handling, and storage. The temporary impervious coatingor liner 15 dissolves when the weed suppression material 12 bag comes incontact with moist soil 18, or the temporary impervious liner 15 ismanually removed when the bag is opened. Further, the weed suppressionmaterial 12 of the bag 10 may be biodegradable within a 3 to 24 monthperiod of time to ensure suppression of weeds during the growing seasonand to ensure that the weed suppression material 12 does not build up inthe planting bed from growing season to growing season. The weedsuppression material 12 of the bag 10 may also be compostable.

The weed suppression material 12 of the bag 10 may be colored on theinside of the bag 10 to match the color of the ground cover 14 (FIGS. 11and 12) packaged in the bag 10 so that when in place, the bag 10,underlying the ground cover material, will not be obtrusive in theplanting bed. The weed suppression material 12 comprising the bag 10 mayalso be impregnated with fertilizer, pesticide, insecticide, herbicide,or beneficial microbes for release into the underlying soil. Boric acidmay be coated onto the weed suppression material 12 to reduceflammability and to provide an insecticide. Further, the weedsuppression material comprising the bag may also be coated with orimpregnated with an antimicrobial so that the bag does not mildew ormold during shipping, handling, and storage. Because the area of theunfolded bag 10 (FIG. 2) is a known parameter, the impregnated bag 10provides an accurate does of fertilizer, pesticide, insecticide,herbicide, or beneficial microbes to the underlying soil. Likewise,because the area of the unfolded bag is known, the amount of groundcover contained in the bag can be measured to ensure that when groundcover is spread on the open bag, the ground cover is at the correctdepth.

As previously indicated, where the ground cover is spread over a largearea without planting beds, the weed suppression material 12 in the bag10 may be impervious to both air and water to ensure total weed controlby depriving the weeds in the underlying soil of moisture and air. Insuch circumstances, the impervious weed suppression material 12 may alsobe used to direct the flow of water toward drainage facilities or towardadjacent plant beds to increase the water available for such adjacentplanting beds. Such an impervious weed suppression material may include,among other materials, a plastic film or a coated paper laminate. Theplastic film or the coated paper laminate may be either permanent orbiodegradable/compostable depending on the application. The plastic filmor the coated paper laminate may also be colored to blend with the colorof the ground cover material.

With continuing reference to FIG. 1, the bag 10 comprises a first frontpanel 20, a second front panel 22, and a back panel 24. The first frontpanel 20, the second front panel 22, and the back panel 24 are allconnected together at a first side edge 26, a second side edge 28, afirst end edge 30, and a second end edge 32 to form the bag 10 forpackaging the ground cover material 14 during shipping, handling, andstorage. The bag 10 further has a center tear strip or indicia 34, afirst end tear strip 36, and a second end tear strip 38. (The terms“tear strip” or “indicia” as used hereinafter should be understood torefer to sewn seams, tear strips, perforations, or printed cut lines.)The center tear strip 34 interconnects the first front panel 20 and thesecond front panel 22. The first end tear strip 36 connects the edges ofthe first front panel 20, the second front panel 22, and the back panel24 along the first end edge 30. The second end tear strip 38 connectsthe edges of the first front panel 20, the second front panel 22, andthe back panel 24 along the second end edge 32.

In order to use the bag 10 as a weed suppression material, the centertear strip 34, the first end tear strip 36, and the second end tearstrip 38 are removed from the bag 10. With the tear strips 34, 36, and38 removed, the bag 10 is then unfolded as shown in FIG. 2. A first sidefold line 42 corresponds to the first side edge 26 of the bag 10 (FIG.1), and a second side fold line 44 corresponds to the second side edge28 of the bag 10 (FIG. 1). Once the bag 10 has been unfolded as shown inFIG. 2, the ground cover material 14 is spread over the bag 10 in itsopen and unfolded configuration.

Although the bag 10 has been described in connection with the use oftear strips 34, 36, and 38, as indicated above, other opening means,such as sewn seams, perforations, or printed cut lines may be used inconnection with the present invention. Particularly, the printed cutlines direct the user to those places on the bag that should be cut inorder to open the bag 10 to its open and unfolded configuration shown inFIG. 2. Instead of printed cut lines, perforations may be provided tofacilitate the opening of the bag 10 along the edges and center. Inanother embodiment, instead of a tear strip, the edges 30 and 32 may besealed by a standard sewn closure which is easily opened by pulling onthe thread of the sewn closure. Also, the center tear strip 34 may beaccessible from the inside of the bag once the edges have been opened byremoving the tear strips 36 and 38.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a second embodiment of a bag 100 of the presentinvention. The bag 100 comprises a first front panel 120, a second frontpanel 122, and a back panel 124. The first front panel 120, the secondfront panel 122, and the back panel 124 are all connected together at afirst end edge 126, a second end edge 128, a first side edge 130, and asecond side edge 132 to form the bag 100 for packaging the ground covermaterial during shipping, handling, and storage. The bag 100 further hasa center tear strip 134, a first side tear strip 136, and a second sidetear strip 138. The center tear strip 134 interconnects the first frontpanel 120 and the second front panel 122. The first side tear strip 136connects the edges of the first front panel 120, the second front panel122, and the back panel 124 along the first side edge 130. The secondside tear strip 138 connects the edges of the first front panel 120, thesecond front panel 122, and the back panel 124 along the second sideedge 132.

In order to use the bag 100 as a weed suppression material, the centertear strip 134, the first side tear strip 136, and the second side tearstrip 138 are removed from the bag 100. With the tear strips 134, 136,and 138 removed, the bag 100 is then unfolded as shown in FIG. 4. Afirst end fold line 142 corresponds to the first end edge 126 of the bag100, and a second end fold line 144 corresponds to the second end edge128 of the bag 100. Once the bag 100 has been unfolded as shown in FIG.4, the ground cover material 14 contained within the bag 100 is spreadover the bag 100 in its open and unfolded configuration. Further, aspreviously stated, other opening indicia, such as sewn seams,perforations, or printed cut lines, can be substituted for the tearstrips 134, 136, and 138.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show a third embodiment of a bag 200 of the presentinvention. The bag 200 comprises a front panel 220 and a back panel 224.The front panel 120 and the back panel 224 are connected together at afirst side edge 226, a second side edge 228, a first end edge 230, and asecond end edge 232 to form the bag 200 for packaging the ground covermaterial during shipping, handling, and storage. The bag 200 further hasa side tear strip 234, a first end tear strip 236, and a second end tearstrip 238. The side tear strip 234 interconnects the front panel 220 andthe back panel 224. The first end tear strip 236 interconnects the edgesof the front panel 220 and the back panel 224 along the first end edge230. The second end tear strip 238 interconnects the edges of the frontpanel 220 and the back panel 224 along the second end edge 232.

In order to use the bag 200 as a weed suppression material, the sidetear strip 234, the first end tear strip 236, and the second end tearstrip 238 are removed from the bag 200. With the tear strips 234, 236,and 238 removed, the bag 200 is then unfolded as shown in FIG. 6. A sidefold line 244 corresponds to the second side edge 228 of the bag 200(FIG. 5). Once the bag 200 has been unfolded as shown in FIG. 6, theground cover material 14 contained within the bag 200 is spread over thebag 200 in its open and unfolded configuration. Further, as previouslystated, other opening indicia, such as sewn seams, perforations, printedcut lines, can be substituted for the tear strips 234, 236, and 238.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a fourth embodiment of a bag 300 of the presentinvention. The bag 300 comprises a front panel 320 and a back panel 324.The front panel 320 and the back panel 324 are connected together at afirst end edge 326, a second end edge 328, a first side edge 330, and asecond side edge 332 to form the bag 300 for packaging the ground covermaterial during shipping, handling, and storage. The bag 300 further hasan end tear strip 334, a first side tear strip 336, and a second sidetear strip 338. The end tear strip 334 interconnects the front panel 320and the back panel 324. The first side tear strip 336 interconnects theedges of the front panel 320 and the back panel 324 along the first sideedge 330. The second side tear strip 338 interconnects the edges of thefront panel 320 and the back panel 324 along the second side edge 332.

In order to use the bag 300 as a weed suppression material, the end tearstrip 334, the first side tear strip 336, and the second side tear strip338 are removed from the bag 300. With the tear strips 334, 336, and 338removed, the bag 300 is then unfolded as shown in FIG. 8. A side foldline 344 corresponds to the second end edge 328 of the bag 300 (FIG. 7).Once the bag 300 has been unfolded as shown in FIG. 8, the ground covermaterial 14 contained within the bag 300 is spread over the bag 300 inits open and unfolded configuration. Further, as previously stated,other opening indicia, such as sewn seams, perforations, or printed cutlines, can be substituted for the tear strips 334, 336, and 338.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a fifth embodiment of a bag 400 of the presentinvention. The bag 400 comprises a first front panel 420 with an extraunderlying panel 421, a second front panel 422 with an extra underlyingpanel 423, and a back panel 424. The first front panel 420 with itsextra underlying panel 421, the second front panel 422 with its extraunderlying panel 423, and the back panel 24 are all connected togetherat a first side edge 426, a second side edge 428, a first end edge 430,and a second end edge 432 to form the bag 400 for packaging the groundcover material during shipping, handling, and storage. The bag 400further has a center tear strip 434, a first end tear strip 436, and asecond end tear strip 438. The center tear strip 434 interconnects thefirst front panel 420 and the second front panel 422. The first end tearstrip 436 interconnects the edges of the first front panel 420, thesecond front panel 422, and the back panel 424 along the first end edge430. The second end tear strip 438 interconnects the edges of the firstfront panel 420, the second front panel 422, and the back panel 424along the second end edge 432. The underlying panel 421 is hinged to thefirst front panel 420 adjacent the center tear strip 434 and is foldedback underneath the first front panel 420 inside of the bag 400.Likewise, the underlying panel 423 is hinged to the second front panel422 adjacent the center tear strip 434 and is folded back underneath thesecond front panel 422 inside of the bag 400. The extra underlying panel421 and the extra underlying panel 423 may be placed above the firstfront panel 420 and the second front panel 422, respectively, instead ofunderlying those front panels 420 and 422.

In order to use the bag 400 as a weed suppression material, the centertear strip 434, the first end tear strip 436, and the second end tearstrip 438 are removed from the bag 400. With the tear strips 434, 436,and 438 removed, the bag 400 is then unfolded as shown in FIG. 10. Afirst side fold line 442 corresponds to the first side edge 426 of thebag 10. A second side fold line 444 corresponds to the second side edge428 of the bag 400. A third fold line 441 corresponds to the hingedconnection between the first front panel 420 and its underlying panel421. A fourth fold line 443 corresponds to the hinged connection betweenthe second front panel 422 and its underlying panel 423. The extraunderlying panels 421 and 423 provide extra weed suppression material toaccommodate the volume of ground cover material contained within the bag400. Once the bag 400 has been unfolded as shown in FIG. 10, the groundcover material 14 contained within the bag 400 is spread over the bag400 in its open and unfolded configuration with its extra area providedby the extra panels 421 and 423. Further, as previously stated, otheropening indicia, such as sewn seams, perforations, or printed cut lines,can be substituted for the tear strips 434, 436, and 438.

Preferably, the bags 10, 100, 200, 300 and 400 are flat tube bags thatare sewn at the edges and along one side to provide the opening lines.Other types of bags, such as gusset bags, may be used in connection withthe invention.

One construction of bags in accordance with the present inventioncomprises a tube bag made of three layers of 50 pound basis weight, wetstrength Kraft paper. The bags were installed in planting beds with pinebark mulch. Over a seven-month period, the bags had begun to degrade inresponse to environmental conditions. The bags, however, continued tosuppress weed growth at approximately a 90% reduction compared toplanting beds without the weed suppression material.

The construction of bag 10 or 200 is suitable for use with a method forplanting individual plants, such as flowers and/or vegetables in aplanting bed with existing soil. Particularly, the bag 10 or 200 isconstructed of water permeable, biodegradable material, and the bag 10or 200 is filled with enriched composted soil or the like. The bag 10 or200 is laid out on the planting bed, opened along indicia 34, 36, and 38for the bag 10 or along indicia 234, 236, and 238 for the bag 200. Onceopened the bag 10 or 200 is unfolded to a flat configuration, theenriched soil in the bag 10 or 200 is spread out to cover the waterpermeable, biodegradable material of the bag 10 or 200. In order tofacilitate the spreading of the enriched soil over the water permeable,biodegradable material of the bag 10 or 200, a lip may optionally becreated along the edge of the flattened bag by folding and securing thematerial to itself along the indicia. The lip provides a barrier toretain the enriched soil from spreading beyond the edge of the flattenedbag. Once the bag 10 or 200 has been opened, laid flat, and covered withthe enriched soil, individual openings are made through the enrichedsoil, through the water permeable, biodegradable material of the bag 10or 200, and into the underlying soil of the planting bed. Individualplants are then inserted into each of the openings. Each individualplant therefore is in contact with the overlying enriched soil, thewater permeable, biodegradable material of the bag 10 or 200, and theunderlying soil of the planting bed. The method employing the bag 10 or200 for planting individual plants in the planting bed offers severaladvantages. First, the enriched soil in the bag 10 or 200 amends thesoil of the planting bed and delivers nutrients to the individualplants. Second, the water permeable, biodegradable material of the bag10 or 200 creates a weed barrier between the individual plants. Third,the water permeable, biodegradable material of the bag 10 or 200 acts asa mulch to retain moisture in the soil of the planting bed. Fourth, thewater permeable, biodegradable material of the bag 10 or 20 degradesover the course of a growing season so that the bag material can simplybe tilled into the soil of the planting bed the following year therebyeliminating the need to dispose of the bag 10 or 200.

The construction of bag 100 or 300 is suitable for use with a method forcreating a protective buffer zone about 12-18 inches in width around thefoundation of a building to inhibit the intrusion of insects and toprotect against water damage. The bag 100 or 300 is constructed of awater impermeable, non-degradable material, and the bag 100 or 300 isfilled with rock material. In the first step of the method, organicmaterial is removed from the buffer zone around the foundation of thebuilding. The grade of the buffer zone should slope away from thefoundation. The bag 100 or 300 is dimensioned to coincide with the widthof the buffer zone. After the buffer zone has been cleared of organicmaterial and graded, the bag 100 or 300 is laid in the buffer zoneadjacent the foundation of the building, opened along indicia 134, 136,and 138 for the bag 100 and along indicia 334, 336, and 338 for the bag300, and unfolded to a flat configuration covering the buffer zoneadjacent the building foundation. The bag 100 or 300 may optionally havea lip as previously described with respect to the bag 10 or 200 used forplanting individual plants in a planting bed. Once unfolded, the rockmaterial in the bag 100 or 300 is spread out to cover the flatimpermeable, non-degradable material of the bag 100 or 300 except for asegment of the material at one end of the bag 100 or 300. The second bagis laid out in the same fashion and overlaps the uncovered segment ofthe first bag. The rock material in the second bag is then spread out tocover the overlap leaving another uncovered segment at the opposite endof the second bag to accommodate the third bag, and so on until thebuffer zone is covered with rock material. The method employing the bag100 or 300 for creating the protective buffer zone around the foundationof the building offers several advantages. First, the rock material inthe protective buffer zone inhibits ingress of insects to the foundationof the building. Second, the rock material in the bag can be selectedfor size, shape, and coloration in order to provide a desired aestheticappearance for the buffer zone. Third, because the material of the bagis water permeable and non-degradable the flattened bag can serve asflashing to direct water away from the foundation of the building.

The construction of bag 10, 100, 200, or 300 is suitable for use with amethod for controlling erosion at the point where a downspout or otherconduit discharges water onto the surrounding landscape or where otherwater runoff channels on a landscape occur. The bag 10, 100, 200, or 300is constructed of a water permeable, non-degradable material, and thebag 10, 100, 200, or 300 is filled with rock material. The waterpermeable, non-degradable bag 10, 100, 200, or 300 is laid out so thatthe downspout or other conduit or runoff channel discharges waterdirectly onto the front panels 20 and 22 of the bag 10, the front panels120 and 122 of the bag 100, the front panel 220 of the bag 200, and thefront panel 320 of the bag 300. Because the material of the bag 10, 100,200, or 300 is permeable, the water passes into the bag and is dispersedinto the surrounding soil through the back panel 24 of the bag 10, theback panel 124 of the bag 100, the back panel 224 of the bag 200, andthe back panel 324 of the bag 300. The rock material provides structurefor the bag and keeps the back panel of the bag frictionally engagedwith the soil below. Alternatively, the water permeable, non-degradablebag 10, 100, 200, or 300 may be open along indicia 34, 36, and 38 of thebag 10, indicia 134, 136, and 138 of the bag 100, indicia 234, 236, and238 of the bag 200, and indicia 334, 336, and 338 of the bag 300 andunfolded to a flat configuration under the downspout. The rock materialis then spread over the flat bag so that the water discharged from thedownspout impinges directly on the rock material. The rock materialholds the water permeable, non-degradable material of the bag securelyagainst the underlying soil to frictionally engage and hold the soil inplace. The bag material can be colored to blend with the landscape whenthe bag is used unopened, and the rock material can be sized, shaped,and colored for aesthetic purposes when the bag is used in the openedand flat configuration.

While this invention has been described with reference to preferredembodiments thereof, it is to be understood that variations andmodifications can be affected within the spirit and scope of theinvention as described herein and as described in the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A method for planting an individual plant in a planting bedof soil: a. providing a bag that has a front panel and a back panelhaving edges and joined along the edges, that is constructed of waterpermeable, biodegradable bag material, that is filled with enrichedsoil, and that has indicia for opening the bag; b. placing the bag onthe planting bed; c. opening the bag along the indicia; d. unfolding thebag to a flat configuration; e. spreading the enriched soil over the bagin the flat configuration; f. creating an opening through the enrichedsoil on top of the bag and through the bag material into the underlyingsoil of the planting bed; and g. inserting the individual plant into theopening.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicia for opening thebag is selected from the group comprising sewn seams, tear strips,perforations, and printed cut lines.
 3. The method of claim 2, whereinthe indicia includes a lip resulting from folding and securing thematerial to itself along the indicia and spreading the enriched soilagainst the lip.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the front panel andthe back panel are rectangular and the indicia is located along threeedges of the bag.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the front panel andthe back panel are rectangular and the indicia is located in the frontpanel and along two end edges of the bag.
 6. The method of claim 1,wherein the bag material is selected from the group comprising a sheetof compostable plastic film, paper, cardboard, or cloth fabric.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the bag material includes an additiveselected from the group comprising a fertilizer, a pesticide, aninsecticide, an herbicide, or beneficial microbes for release into theunderlying soil of the planting bed.
 8. A method for establishing abuffer zone along a foundation of a building: a. providing a rectangularbag that has a front panel and a back panel joined along four edges,that is constructed of water impermeable, non-degradable bag material,that is filled with rock material, and that has indicia for opening thebag; b. placing the bag along the foundation; c. opening the bag alongthe indicia; d. unfolding the bag to a flat configuration along thefoundation; e. spreading the rock material over the bag in the flatconfiguration.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein in the flatconfiguration each bag has a bag area and a plurality of bags are placedend-to-end along the foundation and are overlapped before the rockmaterial is spread over the entire area of each of the bags.
 10. Themethod of claim 8, wherein the indicia for opening the bag is selectedfrom the group comprising sewn seams, tear strips, perforations, andprinted cut lines.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the indiciaincludes a lip resulting from folding and securing the material toitself along the indicia and spreading the enriched soil against thelip.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the indicia is located alongthree edges of the bag.
 13. The method of claim 8, wherein the indiciais located in the front panel and along two edges of the bag.
 14. Themethod of claim 8, wherein the bag material is selected from the groupcomprising a water impermeable plastic film, a water impermeable papermaterial, or a water impermeable cloth fabric.
 15. The method of claim8, wherein the bag material includes an additive selected from the groupcomprising a pesticide, an insecticide, or an herbicide.
 16. A methodfor preventing erosion of soil adjacent a water discharge opening: a.providing a bag that has a front panel and a back panel having edges andjoined along the edges, that is constructed of water permeable,non-degradable bag material, that is filled with rock material, and thathas indicia for opening the bag; b. placing the bag under the waterdischarge opening; c. opening the bag along the indicia; d. unfoldingthe bag to a flat configuration under the water discharge opening; e.spreading the rock material over the bag in the flat configuration sothat the water discharged from the water discharge opening impinges onthe rock material and the back panel of the bag frictionally engages thesoil.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the indicia for opening thebag is selected from the group comprising sewn seams, tear strips,perforations, and printed cut lines.
 18. The method of claim 17, whereinthe indicia includes a lip resulting from folding and securing thematerial to itself along the indicia and spreading the rock materialagainst the lip.
 19. The method of claim 16, wherein the front panel andthe back panel are rectangular and the indicia is located along threeedges of the bag.
 20. The method of claim 16, wherein the front paneland the back panel are rectangular and the indicia is located in thefront panel and along two edges of the bag.
 21. The method of claim 16,wherein the bag material is selected from the group comprising a sheetof perforated plastic or cloth fabric.
 22. The method of claim 16,wherein the bag material includes an additive selected from the groupcomprising a pesticide, an insecticide, or an herbicide.
 23. A methodfor preventing erosion of soil adjacent a water discharge opening: a.providing a bag that has a front panel and a back panel having edges andjoined along the edges, that is constructed of water permeable,non-degradable bag material, and that is filled with rock material; andb. placing the bag under the water discharge opening so that the waterdischarged from the downspout impinges on the front panel of the bag andthe back panel of the bag frictionally engages the soil.
 24. The methodof claim 23, wherein the bag material is selected from the groupcomprising a sheet of perforated plastic or cloth fabric.
 25. The methodof claim 23, wherein the bag material includes an additive selected fromthe group comprising a pesticide, an insecticide, or a herbicide.